Victoria Police figures reveal the deadliest time to be on our roads, with more than a third of deaths occurring within a particular six-hour period

NEW figures have revealed the deadliest time to be on Victorian roads, with more than a third of all deaths occurring during a surprising six-hour period. And police say they know why it’s happening.

LACK of concentration has been identified as a big factor in a large number of drivers being killed in daylight hours.

Victoria Police figures compiled for the Herald Sun show noon-6pm is the deadliest period on Victoria’s roads.

More than a third of all deaths are occurring within the time frame.

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Motorcyclists are more than twice as likely to be killed in the day.

Acting Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Neville Taylor said large traffic volumes were a contributor.

But he said drivers were often just not thinking and lulled into a false sense of security as they went about their routine such as going to and from work and school.

A total of 37 people died between 6pm and 6am during the period studied. Picture: AAP

“There certainly has been a far greater risk to road users in terms of the consequences of a crash during the daytime,’’ Mr Taylor said.

“Daytime does expose a range of vulnerable road users.

“When you are using the road in a way that is your normal routine and your normal pattern of behaviour there could be a risk of either fatigue or lack of concentration.

“When you increase those risks with huge volumes of traffic and different types of road users coming together that’s probably when we should be concentrating even more.”

More than a third of road deaths occur between noon and 6pm. Picture: Greg Dundas

The police figures — covering January 1 to June 30 this year — show 104 people died statewide.

Between 6am and noon was the second deadliest period, with 29 people killed.

There were 22 people killed between 6pm and midnight when drugs and alcohol were more likely factors in accidents.

Fifteen died between midnight and 6am.

Police say a lack of concentration and a false sense of security are contributing to the surprising figures. Picture: AAP

Mr Taylor said whether it was day or night motorists must drive to the conditions.

“Any time of the day we all need to be mindful of just how we are using the roads,’’ he said.

“When the conditions change it’s up to us to modify our behaviour appropriately.

“We know that it’s the behaviour of road users that is the single most contributing factor to these collisions.”

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